Sculpey® III Ikat Ring

Your workspace:
Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Work ‘n Bake Clay Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.

Getting Started:
Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.

Baking:
Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake clay on an oven-proof surface such metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 15 minutes per ¼" (6 mm) thickness according to package directions. Oven safe glass or ceramic surfaces are also acceptable for baking; however please note that the baking times may take longer as the glass or ceramic surfaces take longer to heat up. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME.

Take the 1-1/4” oval cutter from the set and bend the edges with your fingers to create an unusual shape. Keep in mind that the base of the ring finding is 1” in diameter so pressing an area in too far will result in the ring finding showing up past the edge of the ring top.

Condition the following ratios of clay together to create the purple color. 1-part Red, 3-parts-Blue, and 1-part Spring Lilac. Condition the three colors together until you have a consistent color and roll out a sheet of clay on a medium/thick setting of the Clay Conditioning Machine. Use the bent up cutter you made in Step 1 top cut out the shape for the ring top.

Place the bent up cutter on top of a section of the Sculpey Clay Decal Ikat pattern that you want to capture for the ring top. Use the mechanical pencil to trace around the inside of the cutter. Use the small curved scissors to cut the traced shape out. Once you have your decal piece cut out soak it for 30 seconds in a shallow dish filled with water. Gently slide the decal off of the paper-backing, and place onto the clay. Use a paper towel to dab away the water and then use the squeegee included in the decal kit to smooth the decal down and remove air bubbles. Use the paper towel once more to dab away any extra water that might have come out while using the squeegee.

Condition and roll out a strip of Silver on a thin setting of the clay conditioning machine. Cut out a long strip that is about ¼” wide and long enough to wrap all of the way around the outside of the decal covered piece of clay. Squeeze a small amount of Bake N’ Bond out on your work surface. Dab a little bit onto your finger tip and smooth a very thin coat all of the way around the outside edge of the decal covered piece of clay. Note: You don’t want to get any of the Bake N’ Bond on the surface of the decal so using your finger tip to spread it gives you more control than squeezing it directly onto the clay and spreading it from there. Pick up the narrow strip of Silver and position one of the cut ends against the side of the decal covered piece of clay so that the long cut edge of the strip is level with the decal surface of the clay. Wrap the strip of Silver the rest of the way around making sure the edge of the strip of clay stays level with the decal surface. Once you have wrapped all of the way around trim away the excess and blend the seam. Turn the piece over and use the edge of the Super Slicer to trim the strip of Silver so it is flush with the back of the decal covered piece of clay.

Pack the top of the ring finding with clay and slice the excess off of the top so it is level with the top of the ring. You can pack it with scrap clay or some of the clay from this project. Add a couple of drops of Bake N’ Bond to the top of the clay packed into the ring and use your finger to smooth it over the entire surface. Position the decal covered piece of clay onto the top so it is situated the way you want to see if when the ring is being worn. Place the decal piece on the ring and turn it over so the decal piece is face down on your work surface. Gently wiggle the ring around against the decal piece, this will help you get a really solid bond between the two pieces without risking damage to the decal surface. You are going to want to have the ring supported upright while baking. To support it place the 1” oval cutter onto the baking pan and stand the ring up inside of the opening of the cutter. Bake the entire assembly for 40 minutes and let cool completely.

Your workspace:
Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Work ‘n Bake Clay Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.

Getting Started:
Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.

Baking:
Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake clay on an oven-proof surface such metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 15 minutes per ¼" (6 mm) thickness according to package directions. Oven safe glass or ceramic surfaces are also acceptable for baking; however please note that the baking times may take longer as the glass or ceramic surfaces take longer to heat up. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME.

Take the 1-1/4” oval cutter from the set and bend the edges with your fingers to create an unusual shape. Keep in mind that the base of the ring finding is 1” in diameter so pressing an area in too far will result in the ring finding showing up past the edge of the ring top.

Condition the following ratios of clay together to create the purple color. 1-part Red, 3-parts-Blue, and 1-part Spring Lilac. Condition the three colors together until you have a consistent color and roll out a sheet of clay on a medium/thick setting of the Clay Conditioning Machine. Use the bent up cutter you made in Step 1 top cut out the shape for the ring top.

Place the bent up cutter on top of a section of the Sculpey Clay Decal Ikat pattern that you want to capture for the ring top. Use the mechanical pencil to trace around the inside of the cutter. Use the small curved scissors to cut the traced shape out. Once you have your decal piece cut out soak it for 30 seconds in a shallow dish filled with water. Gently slide the decal off of the paper-backing, and place onto the clay. Use a paper towel to dab away the water and then use the squeegee included in the decal kit to smooth the decal down and remove air bubbles. Use the paper towel once more to dab away any extra water that might have come out while using the squeegee.

Condition and roll out a strip of Silver on a thin setting of the clay conditioning machine. Cut out a long strip that is about ¼” wide and long enough to wrap all of the way around the outside of the decal covered piece of clay. Squeeze a small amount of Bake N’ Bond out on your work surface. Dab a little bit onto your finger tip and smooth a very thin coat all of the way around the outside edge of the decal covered piece of clay. Note: You don’t want to get any of the Bake N’ Bond on the surface of the decal so using your finger tip to spread it gives you more control than squeezing it directly onto the clay and spreading it from there. Pick up the narrow strip of Silver and position one of the cut ends against the side of the decal covered piece of clay so that the long cut edge of the strip is level with the decal surface of the clay. Wrap the strip of Silver the rest of the way around making sure the edge of the strip of clay stays level with the decal surface. Once you have wrapped all of the way around trim away the excess and blend the seam. Turn the piece over and use the edge of the Super Slicer to trim the strip of Silver so it is flush with the back of the decal covered piece of clay.

Pack the top of the ring finding with clay and slice the excess off of the top so it is level with the top of the ring. You can pack it with scrap clay or some of the clay from this project. Add a couple of drops of Bake N’ Bond to the top of the clay packed into the ring and use your finger to smooth it over the entire surface. Position the decal covered piece of clay onto the top so it is situated the way you want to see if when the ring is being worn. Place the decal piece on the ring and turn it over so the decal piece is face down on your work surface. Gently wiggle the ring around against the decal piece, this will help you get a really solid bond between the two pieces without risking damage to the decal surface. You are going to want to have the ring supported upright while baking. To support it place the 1” oval cutter onto the baking pan and stand the ring up inside of the opening of the cutter. Bake the entire assembly for 40 minutes and let cool completely.